Cerebral palsy, spastic tetraplegic

Overview

Spastic tetraplegic cerebral palsy: A rare disorder characterized by the association of spasticity -muscle tightness of the arms and legs, as well as cerebral palsy.

Symptoms

• Arm spasticity

• Leg spasticity

• Mental retardation

• Epilepsy

• Visual impairment

 

Causes

Conditions that result in cerebral anoxia, hemorrhage, or other CNS damage are probably responsible for cerebral palsy. Top Prenatal causes Prenatal causes include maternal infection (especially rubella), radiation, anoxia, toxemia, maternal diabetes, abnormal placental attachment, vaginal bleeding, malnutrition, and isoimmunization. Top Perinatal and birth difficulties Examples of perinatal and birth difficulties include inadequate oxygenation of the brain, forceps delivery, breech presentation, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, depressed maternal vital signs from general or spinal anesthetic, and prolapsed cord with delay in the delivery of the head. Premature birth, prolonged or unusually rapid labor, and multiple birth (especially infants born last in a multiple birth) may also cause cerebral palsy as well as bleeding into the brain. Top Infection or trauma during infancy Cerebral palsy may follow kernicterus resulting from erythroblastosis fetalis, brain infection, head trauma, prolonged anoxia, brain tumor, cerebral circulatory anomalies causing blood vessel rupture, and systemic disease resulting in cerebral thrombosis or embolus.